Former Real Madrid coach Camacho named Gabon coach

Former Spain, Real Madrid and China coach Jose Antonio Camacho has been named as Gabon’s new national team boss.

The 61-year-old replaces Jorge Costa, who was dismissed last month, and has signed a two-year contract with the west African country.

Gabon are the hosts of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations that kicks off on the 14th of January and runs until February 5 2017.

The host nation, who are currently ranked at 111th in the world, begin their tournament against Guinea Bissau at the Stade de l’Amitie in Libreville.

They are Group A along with Cameroon, Burkina Faso and debutants Guinea Bissau.

Camacho played 81 times for Spain and more than 400 times for Real Madrid, and has also coached Espanyol, Sevilla, Benfica and Osasuna, but has been out of work since 2013 following a two-year stint with the Chinese national team.

Part of a statement from the Gabon Football Federation read: “The new coach of the Panthers of Gabon was presented to the head of the state.

“During the conversation, the President of the Republic guaranteed full powers to Jose Antonio Camacho, as well as total freedom in the exercise of his work.”

Camacho, who does not speak French, will reportedly earn 800,000 euros a year – with that amount set to be shared amongst his coaching staff.